I can’t believe that one I have a day off from the day job and two I get to spend it with my family enjoying Christmas.

I’m writing this on Christmas Eve because I know tomorrow is going to be busy and I’ll probably have a few glasses of wine with lunch and dinner.

Tonight as we have arrived home from a Christmas musical and eaten our usual take-out Chinese Christmas Eve dinner, I began to reflect on the couples with whom I’d spent my 2013 writing year. What were they doing last Christmas?

Darcey St. Claire and Vincent Guidry from Déjà Vu –

By Christmas Day 2012, Vincent Guidry had finalized plans for a New Year’s Eve party for one of his companies, Guidry Construction. He rarely attended the employee events himself but had to admit that he was intrigued by the woman who was the catering manager at the Hotel.

It was her laugh. He couldn’t get the melodic sound out of his head and booked a room at the Hayden Court.

Darcey St. Claire spent Christmas Day with her family in Miami. The only time her father was remotely interested in her career was when she mentioned that a former quarterback, Vincent Guidry, was a client.

“He was magnificent on the field,” her father said.

“Really? He seemed like an ass on the phone.” Darcey then turned to her sister-in-law, counting the hours until she could spend her Christmas bonus at the Sawgrass Mills Mall.

Elise Donaldson and Jacques Aristide from The Artist, a flash fiction piece included in Hot Flashes –

On Christmas Day, Elise was fielding questions from her family in Tyler, Texas about what exactly she was doing all these years in school. Apparently, anthropologist didn’t resonate with anyone within a hundred miles. By the end of the day, she snuggled up with a six pack of beer and her dog-eared copy of Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs and Steel in what used to be her childhood bedroom. She read and drank until she fell asleep.

Jacques Aristide attended a private showing of an emerging artist. His date for the evening was a curvy red head with sparkling green eyes. They left soon after the initial walk through. He wasn’t interested in hobnobbing; besides Annette charged outrageous rates for her holiday dates.

Amber Grayson and Kevin Miller from The Beginning of Forever –

These two spent Christmas together and Kevin proposed. You can read about it on Goodreads.

Alexis Joplin and Shane Fowler from One Stormy Night

Actually they spent Christmas Day together as well.

The weather derailed Alexis’s flight to her hometown of Ellicott City, Maryland. On Christmas Day, she was treated to a marathon of Christmas movies and a warm-and-eat dinner from a grocery store close to Shane’s apartment.

“I guess it all worked out since your dad is out of town. You didn’t have to spend Christmas Day alone.” Alexis had said as she stuffed the last paper plate into a wastebasket.

She turned in time to see Shane flick his tongue over around his opened mouth.

Surely, there were no hints of the apple pie left after they’d devoured the dessert.

“I’m going to get some sheets for the guest room.”

Shane left the kitchen leaving her wondering exactly what he hoped to taste on his curvy lips.

That’s what they were doing last year. Please feel free to comment on what you think they’re doing this year.

The series starts with the unusually sultry and provocative founder of The Pink Cove. Sandra is a woman who has seen the disaster and destruction of the rich and famous. For many years it was her job to hide their secrets and make their troubles disappear. Tired of that life Sandra retires and begins her own scandalous life at The Pink Cove. Mitch is enchanted by a seductive woman he met in an internet chat room. After moving their interludes out of cyber space Mitch becomes more enchanted. Now he is ready to move the relationship onto the next phase. But will Sandra’s secrets keep Mitch from accepting the woman society scorns.

The story continues when Lela finds herself in a legal and ethical battle from her youth. Some would see what she did as a crime and a disgrace. Lela sees it as an act of art and self-expression. As she battles the courts to clear her of the charges of child pornography she learns that hiding who she is, is the real crime.

Mikah is a man whose sole purpose in life is to protect is client and friend Grant from the glaring eyes of the nosy public. But when he meets Grant’s sister his life takes on a new battle of protecting both of their secrets from intrusive reporters. Along the way he finds himself lost in Lela’s complicated world with no hopes of escaping it.

Excerpt

Sandra looked at herself in the mirror. The lighting was low, but there was no mistaking how fabulous the thin, sheer satin molded to her full curves. The emerald color highlighted her tan skin and black wavy hair. She smiled at her reflection. She wasn’t a model by any means, but she knew that her figure captivated and pleased him.

Entering the room in a dress that made his mouth water he thought he would never breathe again. When she walked in front of the lamp he could see clear through the divine confection. The outline of her legs reached her sexual center and his heart nearly stopped. His cock stiffened instantly fortunately the satin robe hid it from her view.

Beautiful wasn’t a word you could use to describe this goddess. His appetite was not towards the thin shapely models but a woman who was ample in all the right areas. The sexuality she exuded was exotic, erotic and a complete mystery. Walking towards him she had a clear destination in mind, to kill him. Leaning over she reached for a glass of wine, her breasts weighted heavy on the fabric and gave him a tantalizing view. He wanted to touch her and feel her though he feared the rules and what breaking them would bring.

Sipping the wine she settled on the cushion she had tossed at his feet. He was a magnificent specimen of male and how she relished each time they met. It was sheer ecstasy watching how every move and gesture tortured him. Licking her lips in anticipation of what would come next, she reached out and grabbed the end of the belt and tugged gently. His robe opened to expose an intensely masculine naked male. His arousal was apparent and so was her desire to please him.

Eva Lindke

Author’s Biography

A new emerging Southern New Jersey author, Eva Lindke is taking the Romance field by storm. Her novels fall into a category of their own, sultry. Her sultry novels are not as extensively graphic as erotic but hotter than what is normally considered steamy romance novels.

Eva is a unique mix of quiet restraint with a wild mind of romance and seduction. She is a unique individual who is turning out romance novels that are amazing and keep the reader on track.

The Pink Cove series is the Pinnacle of the sultry novel genre. It is a unique and racy private club where people either fear it or desire to be a part of it. The Pink Cove allows you to be free to experience your greatest desires without the fear of persecution for “normal” society.

Eva Lindke developed this genre out of a realization that a category of readers where not being reached. Now she is becoming more in demand and her readers can’t wait for the next installment of The Pink Cove clan to be released. Because of the genre Eva is somewhat of a recluse and only steps out from behind her computer or other devices for a few rare book appearances. But one look at Eva and you realize that she is as unique as her characters.

Eva loves to travel to new exotic locations but often favors those places surrounded by warm tropical water.

Author S.J. Maylee stops by the blog today to let us tell us a little about her latest romantic work from Evernight Publishing.

Top Ten things to know about UNTANGLE ME

I wrote UNTANGLE ME in May 2013.

Edits were done in June, but a new longer ending was added in September.

This is the third book I’ve written and the second to be published.

Of all the scenes, it’s the ending that has gone through the most changes. This happened with my first release too. I guess I’m nitpicky about my endings.

The story starts with Ivy missing her opportunity to make a good first impression. I hate when that happens. Then I made her feel guilty and soon after that I had her get caught in a lie. Good grief. I hope she’s forgiven me for all I put her through, lol.

UNTANGLE ME takes place in Chicago, as do all my stories.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Ivy finds Seth watching her. She sees his desire and it starts a night of … 😉

There’s a Domme who makes a quick appearance in this book and she’s a character from my first ever written story. I look forward to including her more in my Love Projects series.

One of my favorite characters in Untangle Me is Ivy’s assistant. She’s the kind of girl who talks before thinking. I’m looking forward to writing her story.

I’m not a gambler, but I am willing to take risks for my dreams. This is a trait I share with both Ivy and Seth. They are both risk takers and it was an honor to make their dreams come true.

UNTANGLE ME BLURB: Ivy’s revenge on the people behind her family’s downward spiral is simple and it’s working. There’s no need to long for help from the wealthy business owners who turned their backs on her father. Ivy may be worn out, but she’s finding herself again after joining the local BDSM club.

Seth has it all. He has homes around the world and the little red speedster he dreamed of as a little boy, but none of the things he can buy satisfy him, not the socialites hanging on his arm or the submissives falling at his feet. Then, he hires Ivy to plan his next event.

Seth and Ivy enjoy each other’s company in and out of the planning stages for Seth’s charity event. Their playful bets lead them to a first date. When their secret kinks are revealed, the pair fall deep, but it’s not meant to last. Past hurts come back to haunt Ivy. Now, it’s time for Seth to use all he’s learned, regardless if he can win back the girl.

Once in the center of the dance floor she turned in a circle, looking every direction.

There.

From the center seat at the bar, Seth’s direct stare held her captive. A new song excited the crowd and cheers surrounded them, but neither of them paid it any attention.

His jacket and tie were gone, giving her a closer look at his all-male body. The top button on his white shirt was undone. She wanted to undo the rest and get a glimpse at what lay underneath. Round shoulders tapered to his waist. She bit her lip as she imagined his length.

He made no move to come to her, his elbow still rested on the bar. He was a man waiting for the world to come to him.

Not the world. Her.

The comfortable confidence and the heat shining in his eyes turned her on. She swayed her hips to the hypnotic beat. Her hands felt their way up her thighs, around her hips, and an inch past her waist, he got up and walked towards her.

In no time, his feet stepped in between hers and together they rocked to the music. The drums and base from the band pushed a rhythm into her body, driving her desire. Their fingers interlaced. She snuggled closer and breathed in his clean musky scent.

She wanted to touch him, but he kept a hold on her hands. He pushed them both behind her, causing her back to arch and her breasts to press deliciously into his hard body. Heat rolled through her. She let her head fall back, exposing her neck.

His lips brushed across her collarbone. They continued to rock back and forth, their hips swaying and rubbing together. He took her wrists in one hand and his other stroked down her neck, over her shoulder, caressed the side of her breast, and around her waist to land on her butt. He squeezed her ass and pressed her into the hard ridge of his cock. She lowered her chin and moaned as she took in his expression filled with raw desire. A slow devilish smile lit his features and sent a tremble through her.

The song ended and another began while they continued their dance. He let go of her hands and she wrapped them around his neck. Both of his hands molded her ass. She nuzzled his neck, taking a nibble and a few kisses as she breathed him in. She wanted more.

Lots more.

She made her way closer to his mouth. Before she stole a kiss, she looked into his eyes. His brown eyes had darkened to the color of night, matching his hair. She sucked on her lower lip.

“You know what you’re doing, right?” he asked.

“I know I want you.”

“The Masters work the back rooms on club nights. But we can stay on the dance floor all night, if you want.”

“You’re talking about the one on one rooms?” She sucked in a breath.

“I don’t think this crowd is prepared to see what I want to do to you.”

“Can we go back there? I want to go back there.” She looked directly into his eyes.

S.J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict.

As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together.

I haven’t been around a lot lately and I’m trying to combine family, work and dream life into one wobbly Time stream.

Actually you can help: Authors, bloggers and readers – fill the Vallory V blog with content for the month of December! Send me your post about the controversial topic of author on author bad reviews and I not only will I get you posted and promoted, but I’ll offer a $50.00 Amazon gift card to the poster with the most views!

The question is: If one author writing within a genre thinks another in the same genre is absolutely horrid, should a public review be left and why?

If you’d like to participate in this month long blog post, PM me or contact me at t dot mailhes at yahoo dot com

Forget Me Not, along with Lily of the Valley, Star of Bethlehem, and the rest of the planned Flowering series, is a New Adult novel. However, that distinction seems to be unclear to a lot of people, who label things like Fifty Shades of Grey as New Adult. I don’t see any book featuring a character in their late teens or early 20’s as New Adult. I think there are specific elements that need to be present to categorize as book as truly NA.

For starters, I used to be a YA librarian/reading coordinator. Through my work with YA literature, I was taught to identify what is YA and what is not. Again, just because the characters are teens DOES NOT make the book YA. YA is often about the problems and concerns about young adults, just as NA is about the problems and concerns about New Adults. So what are those? For YA, the common themes are fitting in, identity, social pressure, etc. The themes in NA are often basically the same, except the stakes are higher usually. If you are struggling with your life choices at 16, for instance, you often still have time to learn from your mistake. At 22, the consequences could be farther reaching.

Forget Me Not is about college. It’s about going away from home and being on your own for the first time. It’s about figuring out what you want, about suddenly not having to answer to anyone, but also about not having anyone to turn to, either. People say Lily is whiny, but I don’t see her that way as well. She’s not emotionally unstable; she’s just a kid. She’s used to things being basically on a plan, and now they are not. She made a choice to be independent of her brother and boyfriend, but she has doubts now that she is.

Is the book romance and sexy? Yes. But I don’t think that’s really what it’s about. It’s real NA, real coming of age. It’s about choosing your own life, about embracing your sexuality and your independence, about growing up and facing things that are outside of your scope. Because that’s what it means to be a “new” adult.

Forget Me Not Flowering Series Book 1

This isn’t a sweet and innocent coming of age story. If dirty talk, bedroom toys, and threesomes offend you… this is not your book. There are also no billionaires, strippers, or virgins. This is just the story of typical college kids trying to connect to each other.

“No one tells you when you start school just how homesick you will be, or how hard it will be to start life over with no direction and no friends or family. No one says that becoming your own person is terrifying.”

Lily had a crush on her brother’s best friend, Derek, for years – which led to their steamy night ten months ago in her bedroom. Now, she’s off to college and she and Derek are still going strong. However, when school starts, Lily realizes it’s hard to maintain a relationship, while also trying to live her own life. She and Derek find themselves falling apart and she has no idea where to turn.

Enter Jack. Everything about him is wrong for Lily and she knows it, but she can’t stop herself from being attracted to him. When things implode with Derek, it’s Jack who’s there to pick up the pieces – and to show Lily an entirely new set of experiences she didn’t know she was missing.

Of course, Jack has his own problems and once Lily gets to know him better, she starts to wonder if she can handle all of Jack. When Derek reappears on the scene, Lily is forced to decide between two guys and herself. Can she find herself without losing the people who matter in the process?

This is a work intended for readers 18+ as it features explicit sex between people in college. See where it began in the short story, “Her Brother’s Best Friend.“

“No one tells you about pain. They tell you that it hurts, that sometimes it’s consuming. What they don’t tell you is that it’s not the pain that can kill you. It’s the uncomfortable numbness that follows, the weakness in your body when you realize your lungs may stop taking in air and you just can’t exert enough energy to care. It’s the way taste and color and smell fade from the world and all you’re left with is a sepia print of misery. That’s when the shift starts – the movement from passive to active. I fall asleep, hoping that the morning will bring back the pain. At least the pain is a thing.”

Plagued by a dark past, Jack sees college as a way out. Desperate to escape the area where he grew up, the people who know his secrets, and his own family, he deals with his problems through alcohol and meaningless sex.

When he first sees Lily, she’s the epitome of everything he hates. Yet something about her makes Jack rethink everything he knows and assumes about other people. Now, with the help of his best friend and lover, Jack has to decide if he wants to pursue something that he knows will only end badly.

Can Lily be one of the few people who can see Jack for who he really is – or will his darkness be too much for her to handle?

Sarah Daltry writes erotica and romance that ranges from sweet to steamy. She moves around a lot and has trouble committing to things. Forget Me Not is her second full length novel, although she also has several story collections and two novellas available. Her other novel, Bitter Fruits, was available shortly, but is now in the contract phase with a major publisher. When Sarah isn’t writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking Facebook for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window.